President Martin’s Comments:

I am so pleased we have finally put February behind us and have longer and lighter days ahead. The early spring flowers are doing us proud with some splendid examples of snowdrops, crocus and daffodils etc on display. The months fly by so quickly and I note that we are entering the final third of the Rotary Calendar; that said, it is typically the busiest part of the Rotary Year for Loughborough Beacon.

Firstly, can I remind you all that we return to our normal meeting schedule for the remainder of the Rotary year including the impact clubs. Please also note that the meal cost at Longcliffe is now £17.50 per person.

A recap on February’s programme:

On 3^rd February we launched the month dining out at Eastern Spice, an event now firmly in the Rotary Calendar. It was a lovely evening: great food and company. I have to say I, amongst others, owe them an apology regarding tablecloth marks left behind! We also raised money for our Charity account. Many thanks to John Graham for organising this event especially as it was moved due to a clash with another event. Nevertheless, a winter warmer during February.

On 5^th February, the Beacon All Stars entered the District Quiz, finishing a creditable 4^th, albeit behind some seriously high scoring teams! The highest scoring teams from this round of heats goes forward to the final.

The Beacon All Stars above; Ian also sends this picture from the archive, of the first Beacon team in 2015:

The 10^th February saw us meeting at lunchtime for a talk from one of our own: Bruce Eastman introduced us to Morris Dancing. Bruce embraced the event, dressing accordingly in his “Sides’” colours. Thank you to Ian Sharpe who also supported the talk with videos covering different Morris dancing groups (Sides).

On 17^th February we enjoyed an evening talk from the former Mayor, Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE, regarding the Legendary Loch Nessie and a Monstrous Swim. It was an entertaining and enjoyable evening. Julie also explored some other aspects of how we as humans function, asking us to stand in relative darkness to experience the feelings she had during her night swim. Thank you again to friend of Loughborough Beacon, Julie.

President Martin with Julie Bradshaw

On 24^th February there was another lunchtime event: on this occasion, David Hollins introduced us to a card game called “Stop the Bus”. I certainly had never played it before, but it was genuine fun and soon saw some people’s competitive spirit come to the fore. We should not mention any names, but we did see our almoner throw their cards down on the table.

Thank you once again, members, for being flexible with the meeting times in February.

The idea for a community garden came from Friend of Rotary, Joy, the wife of late Rtn Bryan Woodward.

So.. on to March:

For our first meeting in March the planned speaker will not be available due to changes in working location. Alternatives are being prepared: watch this space! Nevertheless, I am sure it will be an enjoyable evening and it is highly likely that we will be joined by Rtn Francesca Smith from Costa Rica for the evening. Please make her welcome.

10^th March – a special opportunity to hear from Tom Adams about what it is like to be the “Man from the Foreign Office” in Mali in Africa.

Still to come – Caring for War Graves, South American Food and Wine Tasting, a visit from The Mayor, the University sculpture walk, Charter and more.

Looking further ahead, here are some of our Programme highlights ..

As mentioned earlier we now enter the busiest period in the Rotary Year. The plant sale, scheduled as usual for early May, will be launched next week both on the web and with the usual leaflets to be delivered. A lot of work has already gone into this event. Many thanks to the Plant Sales team led by Andy Perkins.

May 23^rd sees an event at the arena off Belton Rd; please support (see advert below, NB: discount available for early bookers). We then move into the Mentoring events, Golf Day, and preparation for the summer concert.

Please do what you can to support these events. They are not just about raising money but also about maintaining and strengthening the sense of belonging to Rotary.

Your club needs you! We are still looking for future presidents to follow on from Roger Williams (President elect for 26/27). Roger will shortly be looking to form his team for the 26/27 Rotary year. Please do not wait to be asked: put your name forward!

We should all be on the lookout for new members: please again look around your contacts. Plus, we always need speakers who can help us deliver a fun and informative programme.

News from other members..

From Lawrence:

Our next Zoom talk will be held on Wednesday 4^th March, on the subject 'End Plastic Soup'. The speaker will be Gert Jan who is an ESRAG representative.

“End Plastic Soup” was founded in 2018 as an initiative of Rotary Clubs and is run by Rotarians from Rotary and Rotaract Clubs worldwide. The aim is to reduce global plastic pollution. Rotary, Rotaract and Interact Clubs worldwide work together to accelerate the end of plastic pollution by 2050, in the waters, the soil and in the air.

End Plastic Soup is an ESRAG (Rotary of GB and Ireland Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group) worldwide task force.

For more information, visit their website https://endplasticsoup.org

Please feel free to pass the link from Lawrence Leger’s email on to anyone who might be interested, especially young people and non-Rotarians.

Michael reports..

As half-term ends and warmer weather hits our area, your Coats4Kids (C4K) team has called time on its work for this winter.  We have researched, emailed, telephoned and visited over 60 primary schools across Charnwood and supplied a total of 477 coats to children from 39 local schools.  We have lot of people to thank: friends, other members, other clubs, local charities and companies who generously supplied us with the vital funds, and participants in our quiz evening.  Come to the concert at the NSC Arena on May 23^rd and help us fund next winter’s work. Thank you!

If you’d like to hear “Me & my Shadow”, Maggie sends the following link..

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1855o8eQrF/

Michael also comments..

As well as surprise visits from Santa Claus, longer-term spin-offs from our schools contacts through the Coats4Kids project have been invitations to read with primary school children. 

On the fulfilling side of this is the engagement with eager youngsters, keen to learn from an adult with time to devote to them.  The sad part is being told why they need to be read to by a stranger: no-one at home is interested, parents are too busy.. A bed-time story was the norm when we were kids and led on to all the enjoyment that a lifetime of reading has brought. So far, we read at four schools. Would any other members be interested? Contact Michael Charlesworth for details.

Loughborough Impact Group 

                                                  Newsletter no. 8 – March 2026

 

Welcome to the March edition of our newsletter. There are many upcoming events over the course of the next few months, please see below and RC Loughborough Beacon’s programme as detailed in the View from the Beacon newsletter.  Volunteers are also needed to support the Disability Games and the Living Without Abuse Colour Run (information at the end of this newsletter).

Firstly, an update on our two main projects: Home Starter Boxes and Coats 4 Kids.  

Home Starter Boxes

With the ever-increasing demand for HSB, the team are delighted that the Shanty Evening held at Longcliffe on Friday 20^th February raised £1000.  This will ensure that the project continues to support people moving into new accommodation in the local area through providing essential household items. The next session of HSB packing is to be held on Tuesday 10^th March at 3pm.   

 

                                                            

 

Coats 4 Kids has ‘wrapped up’ (!) for the season with a total of 477 coats being provided for children in 39 primary schools across Charnwood by RC Loughborough Beacon and the Impact Groups.  The Scheme’s commitment to providing a brand new coat has ensured that many children have been warmer this winter and we have received many positive comments from parents and teachers, as well as the children. This is now the third year that Coats 4 Kids has been active in Charnwood resulting in strong links being formed between Rotary and schools in the area.

The lunchtime meeting on the 3^rd February was very well attended by members.  The Impact Group is sad to see David and Linda Thompson transfer to RC Bradgate.  The time and commitment that David and Linda have given to Rotary in Loughborough is testament to their dedication to supporting others.  The enduring friendships that have been made over many years means that many of us will keep in touch with Linda and David - we look forward to seeing them at various events and welcoming them to our future meetings.

 

A message from RC Shepshed…

“Following our very successful 1940s dance evening. We are holding a music concert on Saturday 28th March 2026 at St Botolph’s Church Hall. Starting at 7.30pm. Very reasonable priced at £10 a ticket. Raffle and bar available.

Pigeon Pie are a Nottinghamshire based four piece band, playing a combination of electric and acoustic guitars. Their range is considerable and covers several genres, styles and periods. They are sure to get your feet tapping with their vocal harmonies     and catchy tunes.”

           

2026. Annual Plant Sale    

RC Loughborough Beacon will be holding their  annual plant sale which is a great opportunity to  purchase your summer plants at a very reasonable price.  Follow the link www.beaconrotary.org which  will take you to the page where you can browse what’s on offer this year and make your order.   

 

March and April meeting dates:

17^th March: Newton Linford Art Group Exhibition. Meet at Newtown Linford church at 11:15am to see the annual art exhibition featuring our own Dick Howard.  Lunch at The Bradgate at 12:30pm.  Please sign up as usual for lunch so we can forward numbers to The Bradgate.

7^th April: LIG Lunchtime Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club. 12 noon for 12:30pm

21^st April: LIG Lunchtime Meeting at Longcliffe Golf Club 12 noon for 12:30pm.

Loughborough Impact Group

Time to get your diaries out!

Volunteers are needed to support  The Disability Games and 

The Loughborough Colour Run in aid of Living Without Abuse.

If you can help, please contact:

The Disability Games: Chris Trivett (see details on poster)

The Loughborough Colour Run: Emily Whea

Ros reports from LIG..

Living Without Abuse will be holding the Loughborough Colour Run on Sunday 16th August 2026. They need 25 - 30 volunteers to help with the event for it to be able to go ahead. There are various roles between the hours of 7am and 3pm. Volunteers will be needed for a maximum of 5 hours.

LIG have supported Living Without Abuse for many years. Contact Ros Severn for further details.